Hull KR hold on for stunning Challenge Cup win over Wigan

Sean O'Loughlin is tackled by Hull KR's John Boudebza and Tyrone McCarthy

Hull KR turned the tables in sensational fashion to knock Wigan out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup with a nail-biting 16-12 victory.

Just a fortnight after suffering a 60-0 humiliation in Super League, Rovers exacted sweet revenge in a rousing sixth-round tie at Leigh Sports Village.

Despite an error-strewn performance, the Warriors were on course for a record-extending 20th trophy when leading 12-10 with eight minutes to go.

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Watch as Hull KR centre Ken Sio capitalises on a mistake to score the crucial try against Wigan

However, Hull KR centre Ken Sio pounced on the latest of a series of handling errors, this time from Dan Sarginson, to go over for the match-winning try.

Sio had pledged there would be a different result, having been in the side destroyed so pitifully at the DW Stadium, but such a turnaround in fortunes could rarely have been envisaged outside the Rovers camp.

Having skipper Terry Campese and points machine Josh Mantellato back in the side helped but it was clear from the start that the Robins were determined to gain atonement.

They led 6-2 after the first quarter - at the same stage in the league game they trailed 34-0 - and never let up.

Rovers' newly-instilled resolve was evident in the opening stages when Wigan threw everything they had at their defence.

Prop Dom Crosby had an early try disallowed for a knock-on and England forwards Michael McIlorum and Liam Farrell both lost possession in crunching tackles as they went for the line.

It was a sure sign of Wigan's respect for their rejuvenated opponents when scrum-half Matty Smith opted to kick for goal when they were awarded a penalty, but their 2-0 lead was short-lived.

Spark

After spending the first 15 minutes largely on defence, Hull KR suddenly found a spark on attack and a run-around between Campese and full-back Ben Cockayne created an opening out wide for stand-off Maurice Blair to force his way over for the opening try.

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Terry Campese, Chris Chester and Shaun Wane share their thoughts after Hull KR knocked Wigan out of the Challenge Cup

Mantellato's touchline goal made it 6-2 and uncharacteristic handling errors from Smith and full-back Ryan Hampshire enabled the visitors to keep the pressure on.

However, Wigan finally breached their Rovers line four minutes before the break when Joel Tomkins charged onto George Williams' short pass.

Smith was wide with the goalkick and Mantellato was also off target with a stoppage-time penalty to leave the scores locked at 6-6.

Wigan clearly failed to heed the words of coach Shaun Wane at half-time as they continued to cough up the ball at regular intervals, and Mantellato kicked his side back in front after Sam Powelll conceded a penalty.

As the game became even more untidy, Smith and Mantellato traded further penalties until McIlorum's razor-sharp pass from dummy half enabled winger Joe Burgess to squeeze over in the on 63 minutes.

But Rovers came back and Sio punished Sarginson's loose carry for the pivotal score and Mantellato kicked his fourth goal from five attempts.

There was still time for one last dramatic act, with Tomkins going close to winning it with three minutes remaining, but replays showed his foot was in touch after some last-ditch defending from Cockayne and Mantellato.